Adults and kids alike look forward to that customary Christmas dinner of roast turkey garnished with chestnuts, vegetables and cranberry sauce. Afterward, we all enjoy those homemade cookies and other delectable sweets.

Food is an integral part of any celebration and, of course, Christmas is no different. Most every country has its own Christmas dinner traditions but the food served differs from country to country.

The classic turkey dinner is also a traditional dish in Canada and England.

One of the more popular holiday traditions is baking Christmas cookies. But for most of us, time is in short demand during the holiday rush, and this family tradition can sometimes turn into a major chore.

When the temperature dips into the 30s and 40s this time of year, it’s time to start thinking about making some good, slow-simmered stew on the stove.

Using a combination of small cuts of meat (beef, pork, veal or lamb) along with various vegetables of your liking, and then placing them in a large covered pot and simmering them in a seasoned liquid for a long period of time would probably constitute being called a stew.

The only true balsamic vinegars in the world are from Modena and Reggio, Italy. The tradition started there and is still “artisan-made” today. These vinegars from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy are truly the finest you can buy.

Whether you call them appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, canapés or whatever, they are the scrumptious little morsels served before the start of a full-course meal.

Appetizers can also function as the main course for a meal. Many times my wife and I have gone out to restaurants and just ordered three or four hors d’oeuvres instead of the usual entrée. This can also work at any of your cocktail or holiday parties.